Cauliflower mash up - so much more than just a side dish

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With loads of unexpected health benefits, you would be forgiven for thinking cauliflower earns the right to be sold in the health food section.

Finally recognised as the food hero it really is, recipes for everything from cauliflower pizza to cauliflower steaks, cauliflower rice and spicy cauliflower bakes are flooding our feeds, as foodies are revisiting this unpretentious vegetable anew.

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Cauliflower boasts a long list of health benefits such as helping fight inflammation with antioxidants, lessens heart and circulatory system issues, lowers cancer risks, supplying vitamin K to the body, improving digestion and detoxifying the body, supporting healthy weight loss, boosting brain health, keeping hormones in check, supporting healthy pregnancy and boosting the immune system for starters.

What to choose when buying Cauliflower

Choose firm compact heads, avoid soft or separated flowers
Avoid flowers with black mouldy spots
Stem should be green without any dried, brown leaves

7 easy ways to cook cauliflower

1. Cauliflower couscous

Process florets in the food processor until they form couscous like grains. Steam or fry as an alternative to rice or any carbohydrate. It can even be a substitute for rice when making fried rice.

2. Pokè bowls

In its raw state, it is great in salads and pokè bowls.

3. Roasted in cauliflower salads

Roast cauliflower florets with your roast vegetables, you will find it is an enjoyable flavour sensation you weren’t expecting. Seasoned and oiled florets roast well at 220C for about 15-20 minutes

4. Cauliflower soup

Make into a beautiful creamy cauliflower soup.

5. Cauliflower steaks

Cut straight through cauliflower head into 2cm thick steaks, rub with oil and ground fennel and cumin seeds and roast on baking paper lined trays as above.

6. Spicy cauliflower florets

Toss tiny florets in olive oil and Mexican spice mix and roast as above. Serve in mini soft taco’s with all the trimmings and toppings as an alternative to meat.

7. Cauliflower pizza

Cauliflower can be made into pizza crusts and tortillas.

Try these fab recipes:

Buffalo cauliflower & chickpea bowl

Cauliflower, parsnip & fennel soup with roasted garlic

Kerrie Worner

With over 20 years in magazines, Kerrie’s work has adorned HB’s pages as contributing food editor, along with BHG, Elle Cuisine, Australian Women’s Weekly and Family Circle. “It is so important to encourage people to learn simple food skills so they can learn how easy it is to fall in love with their creative side,” she says.